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Gabby Giffords returns to Tucson shooting site

TUCSON, Ariz. — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and other victims returned Wednesday to the Safeway where they were shot during a political event two years ago, coming together to urge Arizona's senators to support universal background checks for gun purchases and transfers.

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Gabby Giffords returns to Tucson shooting site

Gabrielle Giffords visits Safeway memorial in Tucson saying 'sad, sad' as she placed flowers at the site of the mass shooting.

Michelle Lee, The Arizona Republic
3:31 p.m. EST March 6, 2013

Former congresswoman wants everybody to go through a background check to buy a gun.

Roxanna Green, mother of Christina-Taylor Green, left, and former Rep. Gabby Giffords with her husband, Mark Kelly, urge Arizona's senators to support universal background checks for gun buyers March 6 in front of the grocery store where she was shot more than two years ago.(Photo: Charlie Leight, The Arizona Republic)

Story Highlights

Giffords was among 13 people wounded in 2011 Tucson shooting that left 6 dead

She, other victims in the shooting, want Arizona's senators to support bill to expand background checks

Her speech, balance continue to be affected more than 2 years after she almost lost her life

TUCSON, Ariz. — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and other victims returned Wednesday to the Safeway where they were shot during a political event two years ago, coming together to urge Arizona's senators to support universal background checks for gun purchases and transfers.

Many of the victims of the 2011 shooting spoke during a Wednesday news conference at the grocery store just north of Tucson. The speakers stood just 20 feet from where Giffords was addressing constituents on the morning of Jan. 8, 2011, when gunman Jared Lee Loughner opened fire, killing six and injuring 13.

Giffords' husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, and other shooting victims expressed their support for legislation requiring universal background checks that the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take up Thursday in Washington.

All urged Arizona's Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, to support the bill and asked the public to contact their members of Congress with the same request. Television ads urging the same action also have begun airing in Arizona.

Giffords made a short statement directed at Flake and McCain: ""Be bold. Be courageous. Please support background checks."

The former lawmaker also repeated what she tells Kelly before going to therapy each day: "Fight, fight, fight."

She placed a white bouquet on a memorial outside the supermarket honoring victims of the shooting.

Kelly, speaking on behalf of his wife, explained why they consider the legislation important.

"It's clear that the (Tucson) shooter had a history of mental illness, but he had access to a gun," he said. "It is clear that this legislation could do a very common sense thing — to make it more difficult for criminals and the mentally ill to have access to a firearm."

A memorial stands outside the Safeway grocery store in north Tucson, Ariz., where former Rep. Gabby Giffords and 12 others were shot on Jan. 8, 2011. Six others died.(Photo: Charlie Leight, The Arizona Republic)

In November, a federal judge sentenced Loughner, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, to seven life sentences and 140 years for the shootings. A judge originally ruled Loughner, now 24, incompetent to stand trial. After more than a year in treatment, he was ruled competent, the case proceeded, and he entered guilty pleas that allowed him to avoid the death penalty.

On Wednesday, Giffords hugged victims after they spoke in favor of the legislation, smiling and nodding throughout the press conference. Kelly held her hand and arm, keeping her upright as Giffords struggled at times to keep her balance.

"We know that background checks work," said Pam Simon, a Giffords staffer and shooting victim. She echoed Kelly's message that supporting the bill is a "common sense" first step.

Mark Kelly, supports his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, as they listen to shooting victims March 6 urge Arizona's Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, to support of universal background checks for gun purchasers.(Photo: Charlie Leight, The Arizona Republic)